People occasionally find Washington silver quarters in pocket change. They know it's different because it looks different and sounds different when dropped. This usually begs the question, "How much is my coin worth?" Quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 are made of 90% silver and are highly sought after for their silver value or by coin collectors looking to add the specimens to their collection. Use the table below to find average coin prices and values based on the condition of your coin.
History of the Washington Quarter
The Washington quarter was the United States' first circulatingcommemorative coin. It began in 1931 when the Treasury Department decided that it should honor the bicentennial of George Washington's birth with a half dollar. Terms of the contest for the new design specified that the portrait of George Washington on the obverse should be based on the statue of George Washington by Jean Antoine Houdon. In March 1931, Congress intervened and decided that the quarter dollar should feature Washington instead of the half dollar.
Designer engraver John Flanagan designed the obverse and the reverse for the new quarter dollar. The first quarters rolled off the coining presses in 1932. This coin was supposed to be a one-year circulating commemorative coin. However, due to the depression throughout the United States, the United States Mint did not produce any quarters in 1933. When demand for quarters resumed in 1934, the mint continuedto use the Washington design for the quarter dollar that is still used today.
Market Analysis
Washington quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 contain 90% pure silver. As a result, well-circulated coins that are worn are sometimes worth only thesilver they contain. However, there are a fewdatesand mint mark combinations that coin collectors are willing to pay a premium to obtain. Look for these key dates, rarities, and varieties in your pocket change. Some of them can be worth a small fortune.
Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties
The followingWashington quarters,in any condition, are worth considerably more than the common Washington Quarter. Unfortunately, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common Washington quarters. Therefore, before celebrating your new found fortune, have the coin authenticated by areputable coin dealerorthird-party grading service.
- 1932-D
- 1932-S
- 1950-DD over SRPM
- 1950-SS over D RPM
Condition or Grade Examples
If your coin is worn and looks similar to the one illustrated in the link below, it is considered acirculatedcoin.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/US0025-Washington-Quarter-F12-PCGS-56a177b13df78cf7726af001.jpg "How Much Is My Silver Washington Quarter Worth? (1)")
If your coin looks similar to the one illustrated in the link below and has no evidence of wear due to being in circulation, it is considered anuncirculatedcoin.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/US0025-Washington-Quarter-1932D-580810923df78cbc28c33c64.jpg "How Much Is My Silver Washington Quarter Worth? (2)")
Learning how to grade silver Washington quarters is an important part of determining the value of your coin.
Mint Marks
The United States Mint produced Washington quarters at three different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). Themint markis located on thecoin's reverse, below the wreath, and above the "R" in QUARTER.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/US0050-Washington-Quarter-Mint-Mark-1964-56a177b03df78cf7726aeff3.JPG "How Much Is My Silver Washington Quarter Worth? (3)")
Washington Quarters Average Prices and Values
Thebuyingpriceis what you can expect to pay to a coin dealer to purchase the coin. Thesellvalueis what you can expect a coin dealer to pay you if you sell the coin. The first column lists the date andmint markfollowed by the buy price and the sell value for anaveragecirculatedWashington Quarter. The following two columns list the buy price and the sell value for anaverageuncirculated. Of course, the offer you receive from an individual coin dealer will vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and some otherfactors that determine its worth.
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1932 | $9.00 | B.V. | $39.00 | $29.00 | |
| 1932-D * | $80.00 | $40.00 | $1,200.00 | $950.00 | |
| 1932-S * | $80.00 | $40.00 | $590.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1934 | $8.00 | B.V. | $28.00 | $20.00 | |
| 1934 Light Motto | $8.50 | B.V. | $80.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1934-D | $8.30 | B.V. | $250.00 | $190.00 | |
| 1935 | $8.80 | B.V. | $26.00 | $17.00 | |
| 1935-D | $8.50 | B.V. | $240.00 | $160.00 | |
| 1935-S | $8.20 | B.V. | $100.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1936 | $8.30 | B.V. | $27.00 | $19.00 | |
| 1936-D | $9.00 | B.V. | $670.00 | $500.00 | |
| 1936-S | $8.50 | B.V. | $110.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1937 | $8.00 | B.V. | $27.00 | $18.00 | |
| 1937-D | $9.00 | B.V. | $67.00 | $44.00 | |
| 1937-S | $8.40 | B.V. | $170.00 | $130.00 | |
| 1938 | $8.40 | B.V. | $90.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1938-S | $9.10 | B.V. | $100.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1939 | $8.00 | B.V. | $20.00 | $13.00 | |
| 1939-D | $8.20 | B.V. | $44.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1939-S | $8.30 | B.V. | $100.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1940 | $6.50 | B.V. | $22.00 | $16.00 | |
| 1940-D | $8.30 | B.V. | $130.00 | $90.00 | |
| 1940-S | $6.70 | B.V. | $26.00 | $18.00 | |
| 1941 | $7.20 | B.V. | $13.00 | $9.00 | |
| 1941-D | $7.10 | B.V. | $40.00 | $29.00 | |
| 1941-S | $6.90 | B.V. | $31.00 | $21.00 | |
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1942 | $7.00 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.70 | |
| 1942-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $18.00 | $12.00 | |
| 1942-S | $7.10 | B.V. | $70.00 | $48.00 | |
| 1943 | $7.20 | B.V. | $11.60 | $8.20 | |
| 1943-D | $6.80 | B.V. | $24.00 | $17.00 | |
| 1943-S | $7.10 | B.V. | $21.00 | $14.00 | |
| 1944 | $7.00 | B.V. | $10.50 | $7.40 | |
| 1944-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $16.00 | $11.00 | |
| 1944-S | $6.70 | B.V. | $12.00 | $8.50 | |
| 1945 | $6.90 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.60 | |
| 1945-D | $6.50 | B.V. | $17.00 | $11.00 | |
| 1945-S | $6.90 | B.V. | $10.90 | $7.30 | |
| 1946 | $6.80 | B.V. | $10.40 | $7.10 | |
| 1946-D | $6.80 | B.V. | $11.30 | $7.70 | |
| 1946-S | $6.60 | B.V. | $11.40 | $7.70 | |
| 1947 | $7.10 | B.V. | $11.40 | $8.30 | |
| 1947-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $11.30 | $8.20 | |
| 1947-S | $6.80 | B.V. | $11.10 | $7.90 | |
| 1948 | $6.80 | B.V. | $10.50 | $7.20 | |
| 1948-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $11.40 | $7.60 | |
| 1948-S | $7.10 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.10 | |
| 1949 | $6.90 | B.V. | $19.00 | $13.00 | |
| 1949-D | $7.10 | B.V. | $14.70 | $9.70 | |
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1950 | $6.60 | B.V. | $10.60 | $7.10 | |
| 1950-D | $7.00 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.10 | |
| 1950-D D over S * | $35.00 | $20.00 | $450.00 | $350.00 | |
| 1950-S | $6.90 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.20 | |
| 1950-S S over D * | $38.00 | $25.00 | $400.00 | $340.00 | |
| 1951 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.10 | |
| 1951-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1951-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $15.00 | $11.00 | |
| 1952 | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1952-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.80 | $6.50 | |
| 1952-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $10.00 | $6.50 | |
| 1953 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.80 | $6.00 | |
| 1953-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1953-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.90 | $7.00 | |
| 1954 | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1954-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1954-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1955 | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $7.00 | |
| 1955-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $7.00 | |
| 1956 | $3.50 | B.V. | $7.90 | $6.00 | |
| 1956-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.60 | $6.00 | |
| 1957 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.30 | $5.50 | |
| 1957-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.80 | $6.50 | |
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1958 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1958-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.00 | $6.50 | |
| 1959 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.00 | $5.50 | |
| 1959-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1960 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.00 | $6.00 | |
| 1960-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1961 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.00 | $6.00 | |
| 1961-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.75 | $6.40 | |
| 1962 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.75 | $6.00 | |
| 1962-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1963 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1963-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1964 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1964-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| Complete Date-Mint Set Total Coins: 83 | $750.00 | $400.00 | $5,000.00 | $3,500.00 | |
| Complete Date Set Total Coins: 32 | $200.00 | $150.00 | $525.00 | $350.00 |
B.V. = Bullion Value
* = See the section above "Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties" for more information on these coins.
Bullion Value Calculation for 1964 Quarters and Earlier
Since the value of 1964 quarters and earlier can be largely determined by the bullion value of the silver contained in the quarter, you may want to calculate the bullion value yourself. Using the following facts we can calculate the bullion value of a silver quarter:
- Composition: 90% silver
- Actual Weight: 6.25 g
- The current price of silver
Calculation Steps
- Convert the Actual Weight from grams to troy ounces.
There are31.1035 grams in one troy ounce. Therefore, divide the actual weight of the coin by31.1035 to give you the actual weight in troy ounces.
6.25/ 31.1035 = 0.201 (Actual Weight in troy ounces) - Multiply the Actual Weight in troy ounces by the percent fineness as a decimal to give you the net weight of pure silver.
0.201x .90 = 0.1809ASW(troy ounces of pure silver) - Multiply the troy ounces of pure silver in a quarter by the current spot price of silver. I am using $18.25 per troy ounce for this example.
0.1809 x $18.25 = $3.35 worth of pure silver in each quarter
I've been immersed in the world of numismatics, particularly U.S. coinage. The Washington silver quarters you've mentioned, minted from 1932 to 1964, hold a special place in coin collecting due to their 90% silver composition. These coins are often sought after by both collectors and those interested in the precious metal value they carry.
The historical context of these quarters, beginning as a commemorative coin to honor George Washington's bicentennial, evolved due to the economic circ*mstances of the time, like the Great Depression. This led to the continuation of the Washington design, which remains in use today.
Identifying the mint marks on these quarters, denoted by absence (Philadelphia), 'D' (Denver), or 'S' (San Francisco), becomes pivotal in understanding their origin and rarity. For instance, coins like the 1932-D and 1932-S hold significant value, especially in uncirculated conditions, fetching hundreds to thousands of dollars due to their scarcity.
Key dates, rarities, and varieties also contribute to the value fluctuations. Coins like the 1950-D/S over mint marks or the Light Motto variety in 1934 carry considerable worth but are often targets for counterfeiting, necessitating authentication from reputable sources.
Understanding coin grading, differentiating between circulated and uncirculated states, significantly impacts their market value. Condition plays a crucial role in determining a coin's worth, influencing both buying and selling prices.
The table provided illustrates the average buying and selling prices for these quarters based on their mint year, mint mark, and condition. Additionally, it details how to calculate the bullion value for these coins, considering their silver content and the prevailing market price for silver.
Coin collecting encompasses various intricacies, and these Washington silver quarters exemplify the depth of detail and history enthusiasts delve into when exploring numismatics.
